Carlson Orchards

I’ve been to several orchards in the area and Carlson Orchards is my favorite. I’ve been to Carlson at various times of the year for PYO blueberries, raspberries, peaches and nectarines. Also, one of the few places around where you can get local honey (in the store).
I really appreciate that they keep the website up-​to-​date with a daily facebook post about what’s in season and the growing conditions. I rescheduled a trip out there once for a couple days later because one of their updates (e.g. «PYO blueberries is still CLOSED for today while we give the berries another day to ripen but they should be reopened tomorrow morning…») I feel well-​informed on what to expect and reassured that when we go, there will actually be great fruit (and there always is!). Very friendly staff and the prices are very reasonable.

I grew up a stones throw away from this place so I’m a little biased. It’s a beautiful orchard set in the hills of Harvard. The orchard is large and never over crowded (at least in my experience). The little shop at the entrance sells a bunch of apple desserts, including an awesome caramel apple.

Awesome spot to pick apples, peaches, nectarines and blueberries. They also have pumpkins in the fall, and cider donuts. Friendly attentive staff and decent pricing. Very beautiful spot, good place to take kids, and adults will enjoy it just as much.

Things you need to know:
1.) This place is CROWDED every weekend in Sept. and October. Later in the day is probably better than going at noon. But if you don’t like crowds, you won’t like apple picking in New England.
2.) There is a FREE tractor ride to the orchard. There is no orderly line, so expect people to cut the line and rush onto the tractor when it stops. This was frustrating. When you get to the orchard, there is someone giving out free cider samples and directing you to the different apples.
3.) Their season goes later than most and they have plenty of apples, even late. They seem to be better than most orchards at managing their apples.
4.) This place NEEDS more order in the store. It is one of the most chaotic situations I’ve been in. The line for apples/​purchases crosses two ways through the shop and it is LONG. They really should have stands outside where you can pay for apple bags. You have to stand in a huge line to buy cider donuts and then after you get them, get in the back of the huge line to pay for them. People are cutting into the line and the employees don’t say anything. Dear foreigners … welcome to America. We are glad to have you here. However PLEASE learn how to wait in a line and not cut everyone else. (This means you people from India!)
5.) The cider here is delicious and when you buy cider at Wholefoods in Massachusetts (and many other grocery stores) this is most likely where it comes from.
6.) Try the big green apples to the left of the orchard. They are incredibly crisp and sweet. By far these were my favorite apples here. In fact, many people were asking where I found them. There are two rows of them to the far end of the orchard.
This is a nice, family run operation. While they definiately need a better system of lines and order to make things way less chaotic … the actual orchard is spacious enough where, even when crowded, you can wander around without bumping into too many people. This was an enjoyable experience and less crowded than some of the nearby orchards like Honeypot Hill. They also have options for a small and big bag of apples.

Since our go-​to Phil’s is sadly no longer in business, we went to Carlson this weekend to pick apples. About 50,000 of our closest friends apparently had the same idea because the place was packed (gorgeous weather & Columbus Day weekend, no surprise there).
That brings me to the crux of this not-​so-​enthusiastic review: the trees were picked pretty darn clean. It was a challenge to fill our small bag — glad we didn’t go for the big one. Some areas of the orchard were roped off with trees chock full of apples, so if they open those to the public at some point, you might have more luck than we did. Or if you’re incredibly ballsy like some people we saw this weekend, you can just climb over the rope and help yourself. (Hope that wasn’t roped off due to recent pesticide application, folks!)
Other not so good things: Checkout area was chaotic, partly due to sheer number of people wandering around dazed — clearer signs might help. Prices seemed on the high side to me. Cider was OK, nothing special. (God, Phil, how did you make such amazing cider?)
Here’s the good: Cashier was super friendly, they take credit cards, and yes, that carbonated cider is very tasty.
2 stars seems a little harsh, but ‘meh’ describes our experience exactly, so 2 it is. We’ll probably go somewhere else next time

Went about a month ago for pick your own peaches. Awesome selection of white and yellow peaches. Sooooo good! These were the best white peaches I’ve ever had (in the U.S.). The parking lot is so close to the fruit picking area, and not crowded at all. This isn’t the best place to bring children. No farm animals or things like that. Just awesome for what it is.

Went here for my first time fruit picking with some friends over the past weekend! It was a nice day out and we arrived around 2pm with plenty of parking. We went towards the stand and were given information and directions to the peach trees. The staff was very friendly and the prices were reasonable ($ 2/​lb for peaches). Had a great time picking peaches, there were plenty of trees and three varieties of peaches to pick from. After we finished filling our tray with peaches we went to the store to pay and I picked up some apple cider donuts! They had samples out and I had to buy some after trying. I brought some back home for a friend and she loved them as well. I will definitely come back for apple picking in the fall.

Nothin special here — only picking :(cost was $ 15 for a small bag (½ peck). I was looking for some activities for kids to do in addition to the picking.

A little bit pricey but overall a great experience. The place was packed but more than enough apples and pumpkins to go around. Plus my daughter got to have her first ever hayride which was very exciting. Definitely check it out.

There is a reason there are so few reviews here … so shhhh.
We’ve been coming here for 15 years, and will go back this year. We like to wait for certain varieties to be available, and their website helps with that. I sometimes go twice if I’m in the area — once for the early varieties, and again for the apples that I like to make pies with. If you want a specific type, they often have them pre-​picked in the store for a little more money.
There is a hay train to get around if you have little ones or others with difficulty walking. We haven’t used it since our kids got bigger, but it is nice without being overly gimmicky. There are some crowds, but not like the highly overcommercialized agri-​tainment places that turn into zoos in the fall. Nice, mostly peaceful, wonderful hilltop orchard … other fruit available if you prefer to pick early, pumpkins in October.
Don’t miss the apple crisp!
The employees are helpful, friendly, and not stressed out because they get extra people to help during the busy times and have a good system set up.
ps: The negative review, below? Where the woman says she was accused of stealing? I’m not buying it because the system she describes wasn’t their system at the time. Given the list of «other places to go», I’m surprised she didn’t claim «food poisoning» too … the standard hit job line. But, hey, at least I’ve never seen an employee of Carlson jump on somebody’s car after harassing them to look in the apple bags … like one of her favorite alternatives just did this weekend.

The best apple crisp ever!

Right before you get to the turnoff from Route 111, instead of turning right, go straight. Coming up right on the left is another, nice orchard, with nice people working there. And the fun part is, you’re headed into Harvard and Bolton, and there’s another nice experience around every corner. Explore!
I don’t know, maybe it’s me, but when the staff at a family recreation establishment seethes with hate for their customers, it turns me off.
For me, when I stepped outside to go to the «bag table» to get an extra bag for some extra apples so I could pay for them, I was stridently, fiercely and loudly accused of stealing … while my husband and children waited inside with our apples to buy. No apologies, not even after friendly explanation and an attempt at humor. «Nope, you were going right for your car.» Ruined our day and our family time, which in this economy, is few and far in between.
I will never, ever, ever darken their door again, buy their product in a supermarket, or let an opportunity go by to let a friend know: Just keep going up Route 111.
Some of the best apple orchards we’ve ever seen were found by «Guerrilla Apple Picking» — just setting out without a destination and happening on a place that looked cute.
If you need an address, try Honey Pot, George Hill, or Autumn Hills. All very different, all EXCELLENT, and all smart, friendly merchants.

Best fall apple picking adventure! It was so easy to get to — straight out Rt. 2, then just off 495. Plus it wasn’t overcrowded like most of the other big orchards I’ve been to in Stowe, etc. There was an amazing variety of apples – macouns, macintoshes, fuji, empire, golden delicious, mutsu, cortland and the trees were well labeled and not picked over at all. Plus a great pumpkin patch and a tractor ride. Will definitely be back next year!

First blueberries of the season! The orchard is beautiful and peaceful, though I can’t vouch for apple season. The blueberry prices were good ($ 2.99/lb) and easy to pick. I hauled away 5 lbs (see pictured). my skin might turn blue by the time I’m done with these babies!!! People were very nice. the only minor annoyance was that 3 different people asked us to move our car 3 different times. =P
Definitely come early to beat the heat and have your pick at the best fruit. The taste of the berries very from bush to bush, so don’t stick to just one! There are a few smaller ones on the right corner from the entrance that are extra yummy. They take credit card, which is helpful.

friendly service, clean surroundings.
Had lots of fun picking apples and raspberries. The raspberries were tasty. I like crunchy, crisp apples (granny smiths, gala etc). Unfortunately, the ones available for picking were more of the mealy types. No like…
The apple cider sample is delicious and entirely different tasting than the store bought stuff!
Sad to see many apples and other fruit lying on the ground around the trees.

Good sparkling cider. I had one bite of an apple and didn’t like it (sorry, it’s true!). We had fun cruising the store and hanging out in the orchard.

I’ve always really loved Carlson Orchards. But they let me down!
Yesterday, on their website, they said blueberries were ready for picking. We went to 2 other U-​pick places: one had a closed, no trespassing sign and the other didn’t have blueberries anymore. I thought Carlson is sure to have blueberries. But when we got there, the cashier told us that the day before they’d had a busload of 40 people who picked $ 350 worth (about 150 lbs) of blueberries and there were none left for anyone else. So very disappointing to have driven so far and to go home with nothing! So PLEASE call ahead to make sure they have something for you to pick!

Went here just this past Saturday (Oct 30). This was my first time apple picking EVER in New England, so I don’t have anything to compare my review.
I thought by this time there’d be NO apples left. Not true! There were a lot!
I had a WONDERFUL time. The apples are DELICIOUS. They even have cider (made fresh!) in a cooler for whenever you’re thirsty. And it’s darn good cider! They have hot cider in their store. Mmmm.
The prices are SO reasonable– $ 14 for a half sized bag, $ 23 for a full.
You need to get their apple butter. They had a sample open to put on crackers– it was HEAVEN. Their apple crisp is also food of the Gods.
Of course, I’ll be a better New Englander and go apple picking more often, and of course I’ll go to different orchards (and maybe come back to this one!), but I just wanted to say that I enjoyed Carlson Orchards and I hope you do, too!

Oh all right for #200, I will cough up the name of one of my favorite town gems — Carlson’s. We pass through practically every other day all year round, whether for a half peck of our fav apple variety (oh delicious Honey Crisp), a new jar of apple jelly, gallon of cider, or zuchini bread and blueberry crisp from their freezer. When apples, peaches and blueberries are in season, we’re usually there for the fresh picked fruit. And they sometimes delight us with ready to serve warm well made apple crisp. Yes, I can understand how some may think the new solar panels as ugly, but I have a feeling that they’re strategically placed right there at the entrance to be shown off, you know as bragging rights. I think I’ll have to ask them next time I’m there. It may not be the most beautiful orchard one has ever been to, but it’s the one we go to more often than the other ones in town.

SOLAR POWERED FARM! So cool. All of the produce was delicious and fresh. The jams and jellies were also VERY worth buying at least a couple to take home.
We did the u-​pick blueberries and had a grand old time.